Corgi Joins Forces with World of Tanks

This week, it would appear as if all we have on our mind is Corgi. Apart from a solitary post regarding new Hobby Master products for the month of June and another covering the return of Skymax Models, it seems as though Corgi has stolen the limelight with us and perhaps with good reason.

Earlier today we learned that Corgi has joined forces with the massively multiplayer online game, World of Tanks, and intends to produce a range of diminutive tanks that you might find in the game. There is no set scale for these vehicles as is the case with their larger brethren found in the Military Legends series. Rather, they are all designed to fit a common one-size-fits-all packaging, much like their Showcase range. In fact, there’s a good chance that this may be a re-branding move on the part of Corgi, intended to leverage the popularity of the game to help propel sales and give the makers of the game and avenue into the diecast market.

This new re-branded range is not to be confused with another World of Tanks range in which all of the vehicles are produced in 1:72 scale and where several are paired to form an adversarial pack such as a T-34 versus a Panther. We are still working to procure this range under a separate working relationship and will share the news once we have something more concrete to go on.

Incidentally, the inclusion of a US-built M48A3 tank, the only post WWII-era vehicle in the series, would suggest that Corgi is preparing to bring back their Vietnam War series as they did with their WWII line. If true, this is certainly welcome news for many collectors, still eager to collect a range that sold out several years ago.

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Sabot Up! Corgi On the Way!

Corgi’s 1:50 scale German Sd. Kfz. 171 PzKpfw V Panther Ausf. D Medium Tank – Panzer Abteilung 2, Panzer Brigade 107, Bamberg, Northern Bavaria, April 1945

At last we’re seeing some movement on the Corgi front. Their long awaited 1:50 scale Panther medium tank (#CC60215) is now on its way to us along with their 1:72 scale Ju-87 Stuka dive-bomber (#AA32518), both of which we originally expected towards the end of 2019. The remaining items in their 2019 range for both their Military Legends and Aviation Archives series are tentatively expected towards the end of January, again barring any unforeseen issues. We expect to take delivery of the Panther and Stuka on or around the 21st, so please do not contact us ahead of that date asking about your order or when you can expect to receive it.

Corgi’s 1:72 scale German Junkers Ju-87B-2 Stuka Dive-Bomber – J9+BL, 9./Sturzkampfgeschwader 1, St. Pol, France, November 1940

We will process all of our outstanding orders for both items the moment they arrive and provide everyone with tracking information once the orders are ready to be handed off to our carrier. In the meantime, we thank you for your patience and hope you can wait just a little while longer for these goodies to arrive.

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Hobby Master Embarks Upon a Hearts and Minds Campaign this June

Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale German Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3 Fighter – Walter Horten, Stab/Jagdgeschwader 26, France, Spring 1940 (1:48 Scale)

As news spreads concerning the receipt of their December shipment, Hobby Master announced their latest spate of military hardware being readied for battle. Here’s what you can look forward to claiming for your very own this June:

On the ground…

#HG4916 – US 75mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8 Tank (1:72 Scale)

#HG3015 – Soviet Kliment Voroshilov KV-2 Heavy Tank (1:72 Scale)

…and in the air

#HA7853 – RAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vb Fighter – BL973/RY- S, Flight Leader Stanislav Fejfar, No. 313 Squadron, May 1942 (1:48 Scale)

#HA7854 – RAAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vb Fighter – AB972/UD-W, Flight Leader Brendan “Paddy” Finucane, No. 452 Squadron, RAF Kenley, England, October 1941 (1:48 Scale)

#HA8714 – German Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3 Fighter – Walter Horten, Stab/Jagdgeschwader 26, France, Spring 1940 (1:48 Scale)

#HA4611 – USMC Lockheed-Martin F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter – 169164, VMFA-121 “Green Knights”, Iwakuni, Japan, 2018 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

#HA6602 – German Eurofighter EF2000 Typhoon Multi-Role Fighter – 30+83 (cn GS063), Jagdgeschwader 74, 2013 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

#HA6603 – Spanish Eurofighter EF2000 Typhoon Multi-Role Fighter – 14-06, 142 Squadron, “NATO Tiger Meet 2016” (1:72 Scale)

#HA5115 – US Navy Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Strike Fighter – 410/168478, VFA-151 “Vigilantes”, 2019 [Low-Vis Scheme] (1:72 Scale)

#HA6404 – Russian Navy Sukhoi Su-33 “Flanker-D” Air Superiority Fighter – Bort 88, Admiral Kuznetsov, Syria, 2016 (1:72 Scale)

Skymax Models

#SM8009 – USN Douglas TBD-1 Devastator Torpedo Plane – T-16, LCDR John C. Waldron, VT-8, USS Hornet (CV-8), June 4th, 1942 “Battle of Midway” (1:72 Scale)

#SM8010 – USN Douglas TBD-1 Devastator Torpedo Plane – T-3, Ensign William R. Evans, VT-8, USS Hornet (CV-8), June 4th, 1942 “Battle of Midway” (1:72 Scale)

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Skymax Makes an Encore Appearance

Skymax Models 1:72 scale USN Douglas TBD-1 Devastator Torpedo Plane – T-16, LCDR John C. Waldron, VT-8, USS Hornet (CV-8), June 4th, 1942 “Battle of Midway”

No doubt the box office success of Midway this past year contributed to the decision for Skymax Models to return to the collecting community after all but vanishing from the aviation radar. Expected in June, the Company plans to kick things off by delivering a pair of Douglas TBD-1 Devastator torpedo planes. Both models are based upon aircraft that served with VT-8, then embarked upon the USS Hornet (CV-8) during the pivotal battle of Midway in June 1942. Its not clear if the manufacturer plans to upgrade the packaging so that they resemble 5-panel Hobby Master packaging or retain the clear open box look they adopted when they first came into being well over a dozen years ago.

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Pax Britannia: Corgi Looks to Rule the Waves in 2020

Still in the early stages of development, the announcement of a new scale model representation of Britain’s impressive new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers demonstrates continued new tooling investment in the Corgi range.

As an addendum, of sorts, to their list of 2020 product announcements made earlier this week, it appears as if Corgi intends to stick its toes in the diecast warship space with the release of two surface ships. According to the Corgi Developer Diaries found on Facebook, two 1:1250 scale aircraft carriers are in development, both looking to pay homage to the latest pair of capital ships now serving with the British fleet.

“Attempting to select highlights from any new Corgi model range can be something of a challenge, as each one will contain a great many new models, be they new tooling announcements, modified toolings, or one of the host of model livery changes which make up the bulk of any new range. With toy and collectable models falling into several sub categories, which as well as including the ranges already covered above, include gift products, Film and TV subjects, Best of British, Original Omnibus and Showcase collections, we really do try to include something for every occasion and every model collecting taste.

That being said, the subject which is always of most interest during range launch week is most definitely that of new model tooling announcements and we have even more news to bring you on that score. Staying with the theme of military related models, our design team have been working on producing a new 1/1250th scale representation of Britain’s impressive new aircraft carriers, the flagships of the nation and the most capable warships ever built for the Royal Navy. With both HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales scheduled to be produced, this pair of new models mark the service arrival of these huge ships and the culmination of years of planning and construction work. Endowing the Royal Navy with more striking power than they have ever possessed, these mighty warships are destined to stay in service for the next 50 years and will become a highly visible embodiment of Britain’s naval power.”

No dates of availability or pricing were announced so it remains to be seen when they are expected and their cost. We’re also assuming that both ships will come with a complement of embarked aircraft to give them a more robust look.

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Corgi Bares its Soul in Hong Kong

Corgi’s 1:72 scale USAAF Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress Heavy Bomber – 42-31322 “Mi Amigo”, 364th Bombardment Squadron, 305th Bombardment Group, Chelveston, England, February 22nd, 1944

As we hinted at last week, Corgi revealed it’s latest line up of military aircraft and vehicles at the 2020 Hong Kong Toy Fair. Frankly, there weren’t any huge surprises in the mix, the only new tooling being a 1:48 scale Bristol F2B fighter of WWI renown. Anyway, we’ve listed all of their newest aircraft and military vehicles in their respective sections and are now accepting pre-orders. Most are expected towards the latter half of the year. Here’s the list of what’s on the horizon from the folks at Corgi:

On the ground…

#CC51606 – Captured Soviet T-34/76 Model 1943 Medium Tank – “222”, Panzerjager Abteilung 128, 23.Panzer Division, Ukraine, 1943 (1:50 Scale)

#CC51032 – Captured US M4A3 Sherman Medium Tank – l./Panzer Regiment 5, Tunisia, Early 1943 (1:50 Scale)

#CC60216 – Captured German Sd. Kfz. 171 PzKpfw V Panther Ausf. D Medium Tank – 4th Battalion Coldstream Guards “Cuckoo”, Netherlands, 1944/5 (1:50 Scale)

#CC60514 – German Late Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. H Heavy Tank – “300”, schwere Panzer Abteilung 505, Eastern Front, Summer 1944 (1:50 Scale)

…And in the air

#AA36212 – RAF Gloster Gladiator Mk. II Fighter – N2308 HP-B, RAF No.247 Squadron, 1940 (1:72 Scale)

#AA37810 – German Albatros D.V Fighter – 2111/17 ‘M’, Martin Mallmann, Jasta 19 “Les Tangos”, Western Front, January 1918 (1:48 Scale)

#AA37909 – French SPAD XIII Fighter – ‘White 3’, Pierre Marinovitch, Escadrille Spa 94 “The Reapers”, 1918 (1:48 Scale)

#AA38110 – Royal Flying Corps Sopwith Camel F.1 Fighter – Wilfred May, No.209 Squadron, Bertangles, France, April 21st, 1918 (1:48 Scale)

#AA38310 – German Fokker Dr.1 Triplane Fighter – Wolfram Freiherr von Richthofen, Jasta 11, April 21st, 1918 (1:48 Scale)

#AA38907 – German Fokker D VII Fighter – Rudolf Berthold, Jasta 15/JG II, Chery-les-Pouilly Aerodrome, France, 1918 (1:48 Scale)

#AA39214 – RAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Ia Fighter – ‘QV’, RAF No.19 Squadron, Dunkirk Evacuation, May 1940 (1:72 Scale)

#AA37709 – Royal Flying Corps Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a Fighter – D3511, Major R. S Dallas, CO RAF No.40 Squadron, Bruay Aerodrome, France, May 1918 (1:48 Scale)

#AA36615 – USAAF Lockheed P-38G Lightning Interceptor – 43-2264 Major John Mitchell, “Miss Virginia”, 339th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, Operation Vengeance, 1943 (1:72 Scale)

#AA27109 – German Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2 Tropical Fighter – “Yellow 14”, Hans Joachim Marseille, 3./Jagdgeschwader 27, Quotaifiya, Egypt, September 30th, 1942 (1:72 Scale)

#AA28702 – German Fokker E.III Eindecker Fighter – Manfred von Richthofen, Kasta 8, June 1916 (1:48 Scale)

#AA28801 – Royal Flying Corps Bristol F2B Fighter – D-8063, RAF No.139 Squadron, Villaverla, Italy, Sept 1918 (1:48 Scale)

#AA35416 – RAF Sepecat GR.1 Jaguar Attack Aircraft – GR.1 XX109, M55 Motorway Trials, Lancashire, England, 1975 (1:72 Scale)

#AA36410 – RAF Eurofighter EF2000 Typhoon Multi-Role Fighter – FGR.4 ZJ924, RAF No. IX (B) Squadron, Lossiemouth, Scotland, May 2019 (1:72 Scale)

#AA38509 – German Messerschmitt Bf 110D Destroyer – VJ+OQ, Rudolf Hess, Eaglesham, Scotland, May 10th, 1941 (1:72 Scale)

#AA33621 – RAF Panavia Tornado GR4 Fighter Bomber – GR.4 ZA548, No.31 Squadron “Goldstars” Retirement Scheme, RAF Marham, England, March 2019 (1:72 Scale)

#AA35314 – USAAF North American B-25J Mitchell Medium Bomber – “Betty’s Dream”, 499th Bombardment Squadron, 345th Bombardment Group, Le Shima, Okinawa, 1945 (1:72 Scale)

#AA33717 – German Heinkel He-111H-2 Medium Bomber – 1H+JA, Stab./Kampfgeschwader 26, October 28th, 1939 (1:72 Scale)

#AA33319 – USAAF Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress Heavy Bomber – 42-31322 “Mi Amigo”, 364th Bombardment Squadron, 305th Bombardment Group, Chelveston, England, February 22nd, 1944 (1:72 Scale)

#AA32626 – RAF Avro Lancaster B Mk. I Heavy Bomber – PA474, operated by The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (1:72 Scale)

#AA27204 – RAF Avro Vulcan B.2 Strategic Bomber – XM575, RAF No.101 Squadron, Waddington Wing, 1975 (1:72 Scale)


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Tales of Transparency: Movement to Contact

One of our principal goals is to make the implements of war sexy. Its a somewhat strange conundrum we find ourselves in trying to talk up weapons of war that have contributed to the death of millions and the wholesale destruction of entire nations over countless generations, yet here we find ourselves in now undertaking our twentieth year of operation delivering scale military models to the masses. I’ve often wondered what makes the study of war so intoxicating to the average onlooker when they could just as easily set about pursuing other more peaceful pursuits and learn about the creation of civilizations instead of their obliteration. I’m not sure I’ll never know the answer to that vexing question, which has dogged us and others despite the Bible telling us that we should beat our swords into plowshares and study war no more.

That said, we have a tough road ahead of us for the next few months, as we attempt to discuss many of the newest scale models headed everyone’s way. Presently, we’re also laying out our strategic vision for year 21 and moving into our new digs at Shopify all in the next few weeks. Our dance card is certainly full even though we’ve done our best to accept new partners here and there when the music abruptly stops and we’ve had a quick run at the punch bowl. So sit back and relax as we take it to the next level and hopefully continue to provide the very best service we can muster. Panzers vorwarts.

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Which Toy Fair is Best?

In years past, the American International Toy Fair was the preeminent means of showcasing new releases for the calendar year. Over time, the Nuremberg Toy Fair supplanted the American venue, typically opening to the trade and public a few weeks earlier and oftentimes boasting a larger exhibitor list. Now it seems as if the Hong Kong Toy Fair is beginning to take center stage, not only because it comes even earlier than either the Nuremberg or American shows, but because more and more companies are based in China.

On Monday, January 6th, the Hong Kong show opens its doors to a worldwide audience eager to see what’s in store for the 2020 calendar year. While we won’t be in attendance, the power of the Internet and email enables us to learn about the new releases almost as quickly as if we were standing on line ogling the new products. And, with the power of online computing, we can post this new information within moments of receiving the news, thereby keeping our clientele informed and up-to-date like never before.

Two brands, Corgi (which is one of the flagship brands of Hornby) and Forces of Valor (now managed by Waltersons) will be showcasing some of their latest wares, providing information and imagery for their newest products and hopefully guidance as to when we can expect them. So, get to bed early on the night of the 5th, because we’re sure we have lots to share with you early the next morning.

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PMA Orders its Tanks Forward into the Modern Era

PMA’s 1:72 scale USMC M60A1 Patton Medium Tank with Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) – “Saddamizer”, Operation Desert Storm, 1991

It was bound to happen. After playing for years in the World War II sandbox, Precision Model Art (PMA) has finally decided to turn the hands of time forward and move into the modern era. Well, almost. Yesterday we learned that the Company plans to model the US-built M60A1 Patton main battle tank in 1:72 scale, mainstay of the US Marine forces forces for several decades running. To kick things off, they chose three M60A1 tanks that took part in Operation Desert Storm, each one studded with explosive reactive armor (ERA) cells.

PMA’s 1:72 scale USMC M60A1 Patton Medium Tank with Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) – “Beirut Payback”, 1st Marine Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Kuwait, 1991

From the pictures posted, its not clear if the Pattons will feature removable turrets thereby enabling collectors to peer inside the vehicle. Likewise we do not know if other areas of the vehicle are removable particularly the engine block like it is in their Tiger I series of heavy tanks. Stowage gear has been affixed to the sides of the vehicles although we aren’t sure if these can be detached. Look for each of the three Pattons sometime in late winter.

PMA’s 1:72 scale USMC M60A1 Patton Medium Tank with Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) – “American Express”, Operation Desert Storm, 1991
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Where For Art Thou, Altaya?

Altaya 1:43 scale German Sd. Kfz. 141 PzKpfw III Ausf. G Medium Tank – 13. Panzer Kompanie Mielke, Netherlands, September 1944

It appears as though we’re still a way’s off from receiving any of the Altaya 1:43 scale armored fighting vehicles. Apparently, the manufacturer is starting to re-use some of their existing molds to produce an array of follow-on vehicles, thereby amortizing the molds and giving the series fresh legs. The line now encompasses some 107 releases with no signs of abating. Some vehicles, such as their Panther tank, has been reincarnated three times so we’re going to assume that each vehicle that has already been made will be resurrected in one form or another.

We’re still hoping to get the ball rolling some time in 2020 once Altaya has completed the series and moved on to other projects. Its an important range that fills in a niche market at a very affordable price.

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